Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 13:00:55 -0600 (CST) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TARGETS KANSAS SODOMY LAWS From: Christopher Renner Breaking the Silence Targets Kansas Sodomy Law. Amnesty International Seeks Local Support Christopher E. Renner, Co-Chair Amnesty International Members for Lesbian and Gay Concerns-Italy. In 1994 Amnesty International held the Breaking the Silence Campaign, the first campaign directed by AI to address the issues and concerns of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The campaign was successful in raising awareness of the human rights violations sexual minorities suffer in the US as well as Costa Rica, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Canada, France and Italy. It is about to begin on one of its most ambitious goals: the repeal of sodomy laws in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, and Tennessee, which target solely homosexual activity. This aspect of the overall campaign is extremely unique for AI. The International Secretariat in London, UK, has given AIUSA permission to actively work on the repeal of the discriminatory laws using the participation of local citizens. This is a departure from AI's guidelines which have been part of the working organization since its founding. AI members have never been permitted to work on cases originating from within their own country. This rule has been part of AI's strategy that remaining impartial and independent are key factors to our effectiveness. Parting from this rule underlines the importance AI has placed on this project. In particular, AI is concerned that sections of the Kansas and Missouri Criminal code provide imprisonment for individuals who engage in homosexual acts between consenting adults. Provisions of KSA 1993 Supp. Section 21-3505 (a)(1), the Criminal Sodomy law, provide for up to 6 months in jail for Sodomy between persons of the same sex, with sodomy defined as oral or anal copulation or oral contact with genitalia. It should be pointed out that the inclusion of genitalia is a break from the general rule where lesbianism is usually not mentioned in Anglo-Saxon law. If an adult in Kansas or Missouri were to be imprisoned solely for private, consensual, homosexual acts, Amnesty International would consider that individual to be a prisoner of conscience. In taking this step, AI has also realized that any attempt at organizing through AI's traditional methods of operations, letter-writing campaigns and direct lobbying, would be unsuccessful, if a coalition of gay/lesbian/bisexual and civil rights groups are not formed to build a solid base of support for a future challenge to the sodomy laws. Amnesty International Members for Lesbian and Gay Concerns needs local individuals and organizations willing to work at organizing this effort. We are actively working to abolish the U.S. sodomy laws, said Robin Milson, who directed Amnesty's Breaking the Silence campaign. Now we call on local individuals to take up the fight. One of our biggest successes came about this spring when the United Nations human Rights Committee decided the Australian state of Tasmania's sodomy laws violates the rights to privacy guaranteed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This was the first time the Committee had ever addresses directly the issues of homosexuality. With these types of successes being made, we are confidant that positive change can also occur in the US Heartland. In particular AIMLGC in Kansas is looking for a liaison to work with local AI groups, ACLU members, and the gay/lesbian/bi community. In both states we need individuals will to get involved and work for positive change. Individuals and groups interested in working on this objective can contact: AIMLGC AI-USA, 53 West Jackson Street #1162, Chicago, IL 60604 email: aimglc@igc.apc.org. Or contact the Mid-West Regional AIMLGC Representative: Michelle Mohr, 1250 1/2 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43201. -30-